Diotimos Library · Journals, Notebooks & Fragments Collection · Bilingual Edition
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II
Complete Notebooks · French with an independent English translation.
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French Page · Branch 1644 of 4529
YEAR 1807 · Entry 5425
French
p. 3287Analysèrent la lumière. C’est à dire, ils découvrirent un moyen de la priver de sa beauté. Et cette analyse prétendue de la lumière n’est au fonds qu’une analyse des couleurs. A un phénomène l’instrument en substitue un autre. Il opère sur l’organe une altération qui vous fait croire que l’objet est mieux connu; mais qui vous dit que ce qu’il montre est plus réel que ce qui se voit à l’œil nud, que l’œil double voit mieux que l’œil simple, etc.? En produisant une illusion différente, vous jugez que cet instrument... Au reste, les illusions sont les vérités de la vue, et celles qui sont universelles et constantes sont les bonnes ou les meilleures.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II: YEAR 1807
p. 3288Analyzed light. That is to say, they discovered a means of depriving it of its beauty. And this supposed analysis of light is at bottom only an analysis of colors. The instrument substitutes one phenomenon for another. It produces an alteration in the organ that makes you believe the object is better known; but who tells you that what it shows is more real than what is seen with the naked eye, that the double eye sees better than the single eye, etc.? In producing a different illusion, you judge that this instrument... Besides, illusions are the truths of sight, and those that are universal and constant are the good ones or the best.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume II · YEAR 1807 · Entry 5425
Ask about a concept, passage, contradiction, or connection.
Socrates will begin with this book and its sources.About This Reading Edition
Joubert’s notebooks return to the work of thinking and writing, the demands of friendship, and questions of faith, beauty and conduct. This edition pairs the French with a new English translation, preserving the order of the chosen source and the unfinished character of its fragments. Dates and source references allow readers to follow a thought through time or return to its printed context.
Historical Text and Translation
The French text follows André Beaunier’s 1938 edition of Les Carnets de Joseph Joubert, published by Gallimard from Joubert’s autograph manuscripts. Volume II continues the notebooks and includes seventy undated pieces. French and English are aligned paragraph by paragraph, retaining the source order, printed dates and page references so readers can return to the facsimile.
About Diotimos Editions
Diotimos Editions prepared this new English translation directly from the French, preserving Joubert’s distinctions, recurring images, ambiguities and unfinished thoughts. Translator’s notes clarify wording, references and uncertain readings: Essential keeps notes that help explain a passage, while All includes technical detail. Annotations from the 1938 source edition remain distinct from the new translator’s notes.
Rights
The linked facsimile records identify the French source as public domain in the United States. The new English translation and editorial notes are © 2026 Diotimos, with source annotations and new editorial contributions credited separately. This edition pairs the complete French notebooks with an independent English translation, preserving the distinction between Joubert’s text and its accompanying notes.